EP3786091A1 - Storage device for transported goods and storage method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device (1) for goods to be transported and to a method (V) for storing goods to be transported, a first conveyor device (2a), a second conveyor device (2b) and a deflection device (3a) for deflecting by the first conveyor device ( 2a) conveyed goods on the second conveyor (2b) is provided. According to the invention, a motor arrangement for motorized driving of the first conveyor device (2a) and / or the second conveyor device (2b) and a shoulder (5a, 5b, 5c) via which the goods to be transported are conveyed are also provided. The storage device (1) is set up to compress the transported goods vertically with the aid of the shoulder (5a, 5b, 5c)

Description

The present invention relates to a storage device for goods to be transported, in particular packages, and a method for storing goods to be transported, in particular packages.

Processing systems are known for the largely automated processing of goods to be transported, for example packages. From a flow of transported goods in such a processing system, individual transport goods can be discharged for further processing according to predetermined criteria, for example destination, volume, weight, fragility and / or the like, with the aid of sorting systems. After being discharged, the goods to be transported often have to be processed further, e.g. B. be saved until loading.

For example, a truck has a certain loading volume. For reasons of efficiency, the loading of the truck with goods to be transported usually only starts when there are enough goods to be transported continuously.

For storing the goods to be transported, storage devices are known which have so-called storage chutes, in which the goods to be transported are mainly conveyed by gravity and the lower end of which can be closed. In such a storage device, the goods to be transported can be stored accordingly when the storage chute is closed, without disrupting the flow of goods to be transported in the processing system. The goods to be stored slide down the storage chute until they meet the goods in transit that have already been stored.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the storage of transport goods, in particular to reduce the load on stored transport goods and / or to make them more compact.

This object is achieved by a storage device for goods to be transported, in particular packages, and a method for storing goods to be transported, in particular packages, according to the independent claims.

A storage device for goods to be transported, in particular parcels, according to a first aspect of the invention has a first conveying device, a second conveying device and a deflecting device for deflecting goods conveyed by the first conveying device onto the second conveying device. According to the invention, a motor arrangement for motorized driving of the first conveyor device and / or the second conveyor device and a shoulder via which the goods to be transported are conveyed are provided. The storage device is set up to compress the transported goods vertically with the aid of the paragraph.

A shoulder within the meaning of the invention is formed in particular by the arrangement of two components of the storage device at different heights. In particular, a shoulder can be formed between two components, for example two conveyor devices, in that the two components are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction. The two components preferably adjoin one another in the horizontal direction.

A motor arrangement within the meaning of the invention is in particular an arrangement made up of a plurality of motors, in particular electric motors. Individual motors can be coupled to different conveying devices and / or deflecting devices. For example, a first electric motor can be coupled to the first conveying device and a second electric motor can be coupled to the second conveying device.

A vertical compression in the sense of the invention is in particular a stacking or piling up of transport goods in a vertical direction, i. H. in the effective direction of gravity. In the case of vertical compression, the goods to be transported are preferably at least partially layered on top of one another.

One aspect of the invention is based on the approach of providing a motor arrangement, for example one or more electric motors, in a storage device in order to drive a first conveying device and / or a second conveying device for conveying goods to be transported. This makes it possible to design a conveying path through the storage device in a particularly flexible manner, in particular ascending at least in sections and / or running at least horizontally. This can save installation space below the first and second conveying device, so that a truck to be loaded can, for example, more easily be driven under the storage device. In particular, a loading bridge or loading ramp can thereby be provided below the conveying devices. In addition, a supply of goods to be transported to the storage device or an output of goods to be transported from the storage device can be precisely controlled by actively conveying the goods to be transported. In this way, loads acting on the goods to be transported can be significantly reduced compared to conventional storage devices.

In addition, it is provided that the storage device has a shoulder via which the goods to be transported are conveyed when they are stored. In this case, the storage device is preferably set up, for example by operating the first and / or second conveyor device accordingly, to compress the goods to be transported with the aid of the shoulder in the vertical direction, i. H. to partially stack or at least pile up at least some of the goods to be transported. The paragraph can z. B. be designed in such a way that incoming transport goods fall onto the first conveyor device or transport goods deflected by a deflection device fall onto the second transport device. Further transport goods conveyed via the shoulder can thus form a stack or pile until the first or second conveyor device conveys the stack formed further and thus creates space for a new stack. The (further) conveying with the aid of the first or second conveying device is preferably carried out step-by-step, so that continuous compression and thus particularly space-efficient storage can be achieved.

The shoulder preferably has a height of 3 to 500 mm. In this area z. B. with regard to packages to be stored a good compromise between the dimensions occurring and the loads occurring when conveying over the paragraph. In order to achieve a higher storage capacity through higher stacks or piles of goods to be transported, larger heights can be selected.

The first conveyor device and the second conveyor device preferably each define a straight conveyor path. The conveying paths can, for example, each be about 5 to 25 m, preferably about 10 to 20 m, in particular about 14 m.

The deflecting device is preferably set up to deflect the goods to be transported in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying path formed by the first and / or second conveying device. The deflecting device can also form a straight conveying path, which preferably runs perpendicular to the conveying paths defined by the conveying devices, but at least perpendicular to the conveying path defined by the second conveying device.

The first and second conveyor devices each comprise at least one active, i.e. H. Conveyor means that can be driven with the aid of the motor arrangement, for example a conveyor belt. The deflection device can also comprise an active conveying means, for example a conveyor belt. The provision of an active conveyor means that the transport of the goods to be transported is particularly reliable and controllable.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to design the deflection device passively, for example as a roller conveyor or as a slide. This can simplify the structure of the storage device.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention and their developments are described which, unless this is expressly excluded, can be combined with one another as desired and with the aspects of the invention described below.

In a preferred embodiment, the second conveying device is arranged relative to the deflecting device in such a way that the shoulder is formed between the deflecting device and the second conveying device. In particular, the second conveyor be arranged in such a way that transported goods deflected by the deflection device fall onto the second conveyor device, for example from a height between 3 and 500 mm. This arrangement corresponds to a particularly efficient design of the storage device, since the conveying path of the goods to be transported within the storage device is interrupted anyway for the purpose of deflection. If the shoulder is provided behind the deflection device in the transport direction, no additional interruption of the transport path is necessary.

As an alternative or in addition, it is also conceivable that the first conveyor device is offset vertically with respect to a plane in which the goods to be transported are received. In this embodiment, the shoulder is thus arranged in front of the first conveyor device in the transport direction, so that vertical compression can already be achieved on the first conveyor device. It is particularly advantageous to provide several paragraphs, e.g. B. in the transport direction in front of the first conveyor and between the deflection device and the second conveyor. A vertical compression can thus be implemented at a plurality of locations within the storage device in order to further increase the reliability of the vertical compression.

In a further preferred embodiment, the motor arrangement is set up for motorized driving of the deflection device. For example, the motor arrangement can include a deflection motor, in particular an electric one, which is coupled to the deflection device. The deflection can take place particularly reliably due to the motor drive. In particular, the risk of goods being transported or getting stuck in the area of the deflection device can at least be reduced.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second conveyor device extends at least substantially parallel to the first conveyor device. A parallel extension here is in particular the parallel alignment of a main longitudinal extension of the second conveyor device relative to a main longitudinal extension of the first conveyor device. In other words, transported goods can be transported by the second conveyor device in a transport direction which corresponds to or is opposite to the transport direction of transport goods transported by the first conveyor device. The second conveyor device is preferably arranged adjacent to the first conveyor device. The conveying path, which is composed of the conveying paths defined by the first and second conveying devices, can thus form a U-shape. As a result, even with limited installation space, a high storage volume of the storage device, e.g. B. at least 5 m ³ , preferably at least 8 m ³ , in particular at least 10 m ³ , can be realized.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the second conveyor device extends essentially at right angles to the first conveyor device. This can e.g. B. be advantageous if no loading ramp can be arranged under the first conveyor due to space restrictions.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second conveyor device is delimited at a first end by a rear wall. The storage device can be operated in a compression operating mode in which the second conveying device drives the goods to be transported against the rear wall, for example by appropriate control of the motor arrangement. In particular, the goods to be transported are parallel to each other by the second conveying device in the compression operating mode extending first and second conveyor devices are preferably conveyed in a transport direction which is opposite to the transport direction of transported goods transported by the first conveyor device. In this way, a horizontal compression of the goods to be transported can be achieved, ie the density of stored goods to be transported along the conveyor route defined by the second conveyor device can be increased in this way.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage device can be operated in a discharge operating mode. In this, the second conveyor device drives the goods to be transported, preferably to a second end of the second conveyor device, at which the goods to be transported can be output from the storage device. The storage device can for example be set up to compress the transported goods on the second conveyor device horizontally for efficient storage initially in the compression operating mode and, when the storage device is full, to output the transported goods arranged on the two conveyor devices in the unloading operating mode. The storage volume of the storage device can thus be used particularly well.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage device has a sensor device for detecting goods to be transported, in particular goods entering the storage device, and a control device. The sensor device can for example have an optical sensor such as a camera or a light barrier. The control device is preferably set up to control the motor arrangement on the basis of the detection of transported goods. The control device can be set up, for example, to initiate a step-by-step conveyance of the goods to be transported by the first and / or second conveying device.

In particular, the control device can be set up to initiate a transport of the goods to be transported on the first conveyor device if, for. B. designed as a light barrier sensor device, z. B. is interrupted by backlog of transported goods, longer than a predetermined maximum period of time. Such a backlog of transported goods can occur, for example, if a stack or heap has formed behind a paragraph in front of the first or second conveyor device, the height of which essentially corresponds to the height of the paragraph, i. H. which prevents further transported goods from falling onto the first or second conveyor. As a result, a reliable and essentially continuous vertical compression of the transported goods in the storage device can be achieved.

In a further preferred embodiment, the control device can be set up to record information provided from outside the storage device relating to incoming transport goods and to control the motor arrangement on the basis of the recorded information. This control can take place as an alternative or in addition to the control on the basis of transported goods detected with the aid of the sensor device. For example, the control device can be set up to cause the goods to be transported on the first and / or second conveyor device as a function of the dimensions or the volume of incoming goods to be transported. It is conceivable, for example, that the control device initiates the conveyance of transport goods lying on the first conveyor device in order to create space on the first conveyor device for particularly large incoming transport goods. In this way, it can be prevented that goods already on the conveying device are transported from a (large) incoming goods be damaged, especially if this cargo falls over the shoulder on the conveyor.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first conveying device comprises at least one conveying means, e.g. B. a conveyor belt. In particular, the first conveying device can comprise exactly one conveying means. This allows the goods to be transported to be conveyed particularly reliably by the first conveyor device. In addition, this can facilitate the driving of the first conveyor device by the motor arrangement, in particular a first electric motor.

In a further preferred embodiment, the second conveying device comprises at least two conveying means, e.g. B. two conveyor belts, which can be driven independently of one another, preferably also independently of the at least one conveyor of the first conveyor, with the aid of the motor arrangement. In particular, the second conveying device can comprise exactly two conveying means. For example, the storage device, in particular the control device, can be set up to initiate the conveyance of goods to be transported by only one of the at least two conveying means of the second conveying device. This makes it possible to convey only part of the transport goods located on the second conveyor device to the second end of the second conveyor device for output from the storage device, for example in order to load a truck with a small load volume. In addition, the provision of at least two conveying means of the second conveying device enables a step-by-step output of stored transport goods from the storage device (so-called batch emptying). This can make logistics easier.

The control device is preferably set up to control the conveying means of the first and second conveying device in the Drive compression operating mode synchronously using the engine assembly. At least in the unloading operating mode, however, the control device can also drive the various conveying means independently of one another, in particular one after the other, with the aid of the motor arrangement.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage device has a further deflection device for deflecting transport goods conveyed by the second conveying device. The further deflection device is preferably set up to deflect the goods to be transported in a transport direction perpendicular to the direction of transport in which goods to be transported are conveyed by the second conveyor device. For this purpose, the further deflection device can, in particular, be a conveying means, e.g. B. have a conveyor belt. The further deflection device is preferably set up to deflect transport goods transported by the second conveyor device to an output device for outputting the transport goods from the storage device. Alternatively, however, the further deflection device can also be set up to deflect transport goods conveyed by the second conveyor device to a further conveyor device. Components of the storage device, in particular an output device or further conveying devices, can in this way be arranged in a space-saving manner.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage device has an output device which is set up to output transport goods transported by the first and second conveyor device, in particular transport goods deflected by the further deflection device, from the storage device. The output device can be set up to transfer the goods to be transported into a transport device, e.g. B. a truck to spend. For this purpose, the Output device be set up as a telescopic conveyor with a variable conveying length.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage device has two side walls which are arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the first conveyor device, in particular for guiding the transported goods, one of the two side walls ending at a predetermined distance from the deflection device. In other words, one of the side walls extends over the entire length of the first conveyor device, while the other of the side walls is shortened in comparison. This shortened side wall can, for example, only extend over 70 to 90%, in particular approximately 80%, of the total length of the first conveyor device. In particular, the predetermined distance can be 1 to 4 m, preferably 1.5 to 3 m, in particular with a length of the first conveyor device of about 14 m. This can facilitate the deflection of the goods to be transported onto the second conveyor device. In particular, the risk of the goods being transported, in particular goods being transported that are larger than average, jamming during the deflection can thus be reduced.

The side walls preferably run along the conveying path defined by the first conveying device. The shortened side wall, which ends at the predetermined distance from the deflection device, can also limit the second conveyor device on one of its longitudinal sides. This allows a particularly compact design of the storage device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage device has at least one further conveying device which can be driven with the aid of the motor arrangement and a further deflecting device for deflecting by the second conveying device conveyed goods on the at least one further conveyor. The at least one further conveyor device preferably extends parallel to the second conveyor device. The at least one further transport device can thus transport goods to be transported in a transport direction which is opposite to the direction of transport of goods transported by the second transport device. A further shoulder, in particular for further vertical compression of the transported goods, is preferably provided between the one further deflection device and the at least one further conveying device. The provision of at least one further conveyor device allows an even more compact design of the storage device in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor routes defined by the conveyor devices arranged in parallel.

The conveying devices can advantageously be arranged in such a way that they define a substantially spiral or helical conveying path. The conveying path is composed of the conveying routes that correspond to the conveying devices. In the case of a spiral-shaped conveying path, the at least one further conveying device is preferably arranged in a particularly space-saving manner below the first conveying device. The vertical distance between the first and the at least one further conveyor device, ie the pitch of the spiral or helix, can be determined, for example, by the height of the shoulder between the deflecting device and the second conveyor device and possibly also by a further shoulder between the further deflecting device and the be defined at least one further conveyor. Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or the second conveyor device can also be opposite be arranged tilted of the horizontal, ie define a sloping conveyor path in order to achieve a sufficient pitch.

Alternatively, the conveying devices can also be arranged in such a way that they define a meandering conveying path. This is particularly advantageous if the shoulder between two conveyors or the shoulders between more than two conveyors is or are not high enough to arrange the at least one further conveyor below the first conveyor and at the same time ensure reliable transportation of large-volume goods.

A method for storing goods to be transported, in particular packages, according to a second aspect of the invention, preferably with the aid of a storage device according to the first aspect of the invention, has the following steps: (i) motorized driving of a first conveyor device and a second conveyor device with the aid of a motor arrangement; (ii) deflecting the transported goods conveyed by the first conveying device onto the second conveying device with the aid of a deflecting device; and (iii) conveying the goods to be transported over a shoulder for vertical compression, preferably with the aid of the deflection device. The process steps do not necessarily have to be carried out in the specified order. In particular, it is conceivable to initially convey the goods to be transported with the aid of the first conveyor, then to divert them to the second conveyor with the aid of the deflection device and, at least in a special embodiment, to convey them over the shoulder and then to convey them further with the aid of the second conveyor.

The description given so far of preferred embodiments of the invention contains numerous features, some of which are summarized in several of the individual dependent claims. These features can, however, also be viewed individually and combined into useful further combinations. In particular, these features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the memory device according to the first aspect of the invention and the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

The above-described properties, features and advantages of the invention and the manner in which they are achieved will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which in connection with the figures, in which the same reference symbols for the same or corresponding elements of the invention are used, are explained in more detail. The exemplary embodiments serve to explain the invention and do not restrict the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, not even with regard to functional features. In addition, features of the exemplary embodiments suitable for this purpose can also be explicitly considered in isolation and combined with any of the claims.

FIG 1

ein Beispiel einer Speichervorrichtung mit zwei Fördereinrichtungen;

FIG 2

ein Beispiel einer Speichervorrichtung mit drei Fördereinrichtungen; und

FIG 3

ein Beispiel eines Verfahrens zum Speichern von Transportgütern.

It shows at least partially schematically:

FIG 1

an example of a storage device with two conveyors;

FIG 2

an example of a storage device with three conveyors; and

FIG 3

an example of a method for storing cargo in transit.

FIG 1 shows an example of a storage device 1 for goods to be transported, in particular packages, with two conveyor devices 2a, 2b. The conveying devices 2a, 2b are coupled to a motor arrangement (not shown) which is set up for motorized driving of the conveying devices 2a, 2b. Goods transported by the first conveyor device 2a can be deflected onto the second conveyor device 2b with the aid of a deflection device 3a, so that the goods to be transported are distributed over both conveyor devices 2a, 2b. The direction of transport of the second conveyor 2b is reversible. Via a further deflection device 3b, transport goods conveyed by the second conveyor device 2b can thus be deflected to an output device 4. With the aid of the output device 4, which can be designed, for example, as a telescopic conveyor with a variable conveying length or as a slide, it is possible to load a means of transport standing under the conveying devices 2a, 2b, for example a truck, with the goods stored in the storage device 1.

The storage device 1 is preferably part of a processing system 100 for goods to be transported, in particular packages, and can be used, for example, to store goods to be transported out of a flow of goods by the processing system 100. The goods to be transported are preferably discharged with the aid of a sorting device 50 which is coupled to the storage device 1. In this way, transported goods diverted from the flow of transported goods can enter the storage device 1.

For the vertical compression of the goods to be transported, the storage device 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown has two paragraphs 5a, 5b via which the goods to be transported can be transported. The first shoulder 5a is arranged at a first end of the first conveyor device 2a facing the sorting device 50, so that transported goods entering the storage device 1 fall over the first shoulder 5a onto the first conveyor device 2a, for example from a height of between 3 and 500 mm. For this purpose, the first conveying device 2a can be offset vertically, for example, with respect to a plane in which the conveyed goods discharged from the conveyed goods flow enter the storage device 1.

In order to achieve vertical compression, that is to say, for example, stacks or heaps of transport goods, a conveyor 6a of the first conveyor device 2a, for example a conveyor belt, for conveying the goods in the direction of the second end of the first conveyor device 2a facing away from the sorting device 50 is preferably only moved gradually. For this purpose, for example, a control device (not shown) can be provided which controls the motor arrangement accordingly. In particular, the control device can be set up to cause the motor arrangement to motor-drive the first conveyor device 2a and thus to convey the goods to be transported on the first conveyor device 2a if a sensor device 7 in the transport direction in front of the first paragraph 5a and designed as a light barrier is longer is interrupted or triggered as a predetermined maximum period of time. Such an interruption can be generated, for example, by a backlog of goods to be transported, for example if the goods to be transported are in the direction of transport behind the first shoulder 5a, ie on the first conveyor device 2a, except for have stacked the height of paragraph 5a and thus further transport goods cannot fall from the first paragraph 5a. If the conveying means 6a moves further in this case, space is again created behind the first shoulder 5a in the transport direction, so that the backlog of transported goods can fall over the shoulder 5a onto the first conveying device 2a. The control device is preferably set up to control the motor arrangement in such a way that the conveying means 6a only moves on by a predetermined distance, for example by an average length of the transported goods. As a result, a new stack or pile of goods to be transported can form. In this way, an at least substantially homogeneous vertical compression can be achieved along the conveying path defined by the first conveying device 2a.

As an alternative or in addition, it is also possible that the control device is set up to take into account information relating to the incoming transport goods, which, for example, can be provided by the sorting device 50, when controlling the motor arrangement. Such information, for example with regard to the dimensions and / or the volume of the incoming transport goods, can be used to create sufficient space on the first conveyor device 2a behind the first paragraph 5a for particularly large, in particular larger than average, transported goods. For this purpose, the control device is preferably set up to advance the conveying means 6a as a precaution via a corresponding control of the motor arrangement when the information provided by the sorting device 50 indicates the arrival of a large item to be transported. The conveying means 6a can in particular be moved further by the size of the incoming goods to be transported, in particular by a distance derived from its dimensions. This cannot just be a backwater prevent, but also makes it possible to avoid unnecessary squeezing of transported goods that are already on the first conveyor device 2a by a subsequent particularly large transported goods.

The at least partially stacked goods to be transported are thus conveyed step by step from the first conveyor device 2a to the deflection device 3a, which is preferably arranged at the second end of the first conveyor device 2a. The deflecting device 3a preferably also comprises a conveyor 6b, in particular also a conveyor belt, which, however, is arranged such that the goods to be transported are deflected onto the second conveyor 2b essentially perpendicular to the conveyor path defined by the first conveyor 2a. This allows the second conveyor device 2b to be arranged adjacent to the first conveyor device 2a, in particular parallel to the first conveyor device 2a, and thus in a particularly compact manner. By providing the second conveyor 2b, the storage volume of the storage device 1 provided by the first conveyor 2a can be essentially doubled without the length of the first conveyor 2a having to be increased. Due to this compact arrangement, the storage device 1 can also be installed in narrow halls, for example.

For the purpose of a reliable transport of goods to be transported by the first conveyor device 2a, two side walls 8a, 8b arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the first conveyor device 2a are preferably provided. The side wall 8a arranged on the longitudinal side facing away from the second conveyor 2b extends in a preferred manner along the entire conveyor path defined by the first conveyor 2a, ie in particular from the first shoulder 5a to the deflecting device 3a. The one on the The side wall 8b arranged on the longitudinal side facing the second conveying device 2b, on the other hand, is made shorter and ends in particular at a predetermined distance from the deflecting device 3a. The shorter side wall 8b can extend, for example, over 70 to 90% of the conveying path defined by the first conveying device 2a. This leaves a free space in the area of the deflection device 3a and thus enables a reliable deflection even of large goods to be transported.

When the goods are diverted onto the second conveyor 2b, the goods are preferably conveyed via the second shoulder 5b between the diverter 3a and the second conveyor 2b, which is vertically offset relative thereto, so that the goods can fall from the diverter 3a onto the second conveyor 2b. This enables a further vertical compression of the goods to be transported on the second conveyor 2b or at least a reliable maintenance of the vertical compression achieved with the aid of the first shoulder 5a.

Transport goods deflected onto the second conveyor 2b are initially driven in a compression operating mode of the storage device 1 by the second conveyor 2b in the direction of a rear wall 9 arranged at a first end of the second conveyor 2b. The first end of the second conveyor 2b is preferably facing the sorting device 50, that is, the first end of the second conveyor 2b is located next to the first end of the first conveyor 2a, so that a compact U-shaped conveying path is created from the the first and second conveyor devices 2a, 2b composed of defined conveyor routes, results. By the drifting of the transported goods Against the rear wall 9, a horizontal compression of the goods to be transported, ie a compression along the conveying path defined by the second conveying device 2b, can be achieved.

If the storage device 1 is at least essentially full, ie if the first and second conveyor devices 2a, 2b are essentially completely occupied with goods to be transported, the goods to be transported can be arranged at a second end of the second conveyor device 2b in an unloading mode of the storage device 1 by the second conveyor device 2b further deflection device 3b are conveyed. This is preferably done step by step by independently driving two conveying means 6c, 6d of the second conveying device 2b with the aid of the motor arrangement. The two conveying means 6c, 6d can be designed, for example, as two conveyor belts arranged one behind the other along the conveying path defined by the second conveying device 2b.

For example, the control device can be set up in the unloading operating mode to initially initiate a conveyance of the transport goods that are located on the conveying means 6c arranged at the second end of the second conveying device 2b in the direction of the further deflecting device 3b. When all the transport goods located in the area of the second paragraph 5b have been output in this way, the control device can initiate the driving of the conveyor 6d arranged at the first end of the second conveyor 2b in order to also output the remaining transport goods located on the second conveyor 2b. The control device is preferably set up to then initiate the driving of the conveying means 6a of the first conveying device 2a until the storage device 1 is completely emptied.

The provision of two conveying means 6c, 6d of the second conveying device 2b can thus make it easier to output the transported goods stored in the storage device 1 step by step (so-called batch emptying). In addition, it is also possible, in particular, to first output transport goods received by the storage device 1 at a later point in time. The two conveying means 6c, 6d can thus increase the flexibility and, in particular, allow the flow of transported goods to be rearranged.

The two-stage emptying of the second conveyor 2b with the aid of the two conveyors 6c, 6d in the present exemplary embodiment enables in particular a reduction in the risk of goods being wedged on the second conveyor 2b with goods that are transported via the second shoulder 5b from the deflecting device 3a into the through the second conveyor 2b protrude defined conveyor line.

In order to be able to determine the essentially complete filling of the storage device 1, the storage device 1 preferably has a further sensor device 10 in the area of the first end of the second conveying device 2b, in particular in the area of the rear wall 9. The further sensor device 10 can, for example, have an optical sensor, for example a camera or light barrier, and be set up to detect the impact of the first transport item on the rear wall 9. Alternatively or additionally, the further sensor device 10 can have a pressure sensor and be set up to detect the dynamic pressure generated by the driving of the transported goods against the rear wall 9, which increases with increasing horizontal compression along the conveyor route defined by the second conveyor device 2b. The control device is preferably set up accordingly to switch the storage device 1 from the compression operating mode to the unloading operating mode when the first transported goods are detected or when a dynamic pressure is detected that is above a predetermined dynamic pressure threshold value, in order to initiate the output of the stored transported goods. As an alternative or in addition, the control device can also be set up to generate a filling signal when the first transport item is detected or when a dynamic pressure is detected that is above the predetermined dynamic pressure threshold value, in response to which the sorting device 50 does not send any further transport goods from the flow of transported goods in the direction of the storage device 1 ejected.

FIG 2 shows an example of a storage device 1 for goods to be transported, in particular packages, with three conveyor devices 2a, 2b, 2c. In addition to the third conveyor device 2c, which is arranged essentially below the first conveyor device 2a, the storage device 1 differs from that in FIG FIG 1 storage device shown in that the further deflection device 3b is arranged at the first end of the second conveyor device 2b, instead of a rear wall, instead of at the second end of the second conveyor device 2b, in order to deflect the transported goods conveyed by the second conveyor device 2b onto the third conveyor device 2c. In this case, there is preferably a third shoulder 5c between the further deflection device 3b and the third conveyor device 2c in order to be able to achieve a further vertical compression of the goods to be transported. In particular, the transported goods deflected by the further deflection device 3b can thus fall onto the third conveyor device 2c at a first end of the third conveyor device 2c. At an opposite second end of the third conveying device 2c, a further deflecting device 3c is also arranged in order to move from the third conveying device 2c to divert transported goods to an output device 4, which in the present example is designed as a dropping point.

In this exemplary embodiment, the conveying path, which results from the conveying paths defined by the first, second and third conveying devices 2a, 2b, 2c, is designed in a spiral or helix-like manner and is therefore very compact. In order to create sufficient space for the arrangement of the third conveyor 2c or for the goods conveyed by the third conveyor 2c, at least the second conveyor 2b is preferably sloping, i.e. arranged at an angle to the horizontal. Together with the vertical offset formed by the shoulders 5b, 5c, a sufficient displacement of the third conveyor 2c under the first conveyor 2a can be achieved.

In order to determine that the storage device 1 has been completely filled, the further sensor device 10, which is preferably designed as an optical sensor, can be arranged in the region of the second end of the third conveying device 2c. The control device can then be set up to generate a corresponding filling signal when a first item to be transported is detected at this position.

FIG 3 shows an example of a method V for storing goods to be transported, in particular packages, preferably with the aid of an in FIG 1 or FIG 2 storage device shown.

In a method step S1, goods to be transported are conveyed by a first conveyor device from a first end of the first conveyor device to an opposite second end Conveyed deflection device arranged at the end of the first conveyor device. For this purpose, a motor arrangement coupled to the first conveying device, in particular a first electric motor of the motor arrangement, can be controlled accordingly, for example by a control device.

In a further method step S2, the transported goods conveyed by the first conveying device are deflected onto a second conveying device with the aid of the deflecting device. For this purpose, the deflection device can be set up to change the direction of movement of the goods to be transported by essentially 90 ° with respect to the longitudinal extension of the first conveyor device. For example, the control device can correspondingly control the motor arrangement, which is also coupled to the deflection device, in particular a deflection motor of the motor arrangement, in order to move a transport means such as a conveyor belt of the deflection device.

In the context of method step S2, goods to be transported are also conveyed via a shoulder that is formed between the deflection device and the second conveyor device. As a result, the goods to be transported fall from the deflection device onto the second conveyor device. A pile of goods to be transported can accordingly form there.

In a further method step S3, the transport goods diverted onto the second conveyor device are conveyed by the second conveyor device. For this purpose, the motor arrangement, in particular a second electric motor of the motor arrangement, can be activated accordingly. The control device preferably initiates a step-by-step conveyance of the goods to be transported by the second conveying device, so that when the second conveying device comes to a standstill each can form further piles or stacks of goods falling from the paragraph.

The method steps S1 to S3 are preferably carried out until the storage device is completely filled.

With respect to the in FIG 1 The storage device shown here can correspond to the execution of method steps S1 to S3 in a compression operating mode VM. After the storage device has been filled, the in FIG 1 storage device shown are placed in an unloading mode EM, in which first the transported goods on the second conveyor are transported in a further method step S4 by the second conveyor to an output device and then the transported goods located on the first conveyor in a further method step S5 the interaction of the first conveyor device and deflection device are conveyed to the second conveyor device and by this also to the output device.

When carrying out method steps S1 to S3, method steps S1 and S3 are preferably carried out synchronously, i. H. Funding, e.g. B. in the form of conveyor belts, the first and second conveyor promote synchronously step by step. Process step S2, on the other hand, can be carried out continuously; H. the conveyor of the deflection device promotes continuously. As a result, when the two conveying devices are at a standstill, the stacks of goods to be transported can be generated on the second conveying device by the constant deflection and conveying via the shoulder.

Claims (15)

Storage device (1) for goods to be transported, in particular packages, with a first conveyor device (2a), a second conveyor device (2b) and a deflection device (3a) for deflecting goods to be transported that are conveyed by the first conveyor device (2a) onto the second conveyor device (2b),
marked by
a motor arrangement for motorized driving of the first conveyor (2a) and / or the second conveyor (2b) and a shoulder (5a, 5b, 5c) via which the transported goods are conveyed, the storage device (1) being set up to store the transported goods to compress vertically using the paragraph (5a, 5b, 5c). Storage device (1) according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the second conveyor device (2b) is arranged relative to the deflection device (3a) in such a way that the shoulder (5b) is formed between the deflection device (3a) and the second conveyor device (2b). Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the motor arrangement is set up for motorized driving of the deflection device (3a). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the second conveyor device (2b) extends at least substantially parallel to the first conveyor device (2a). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the second conveyor (2b) is delimited at a first end by a rear wall (9) and the storage device (1) can be operated in a compression operating mode (VM) in which the second conveyor (2b) pushes the goods against the rear wall (9) drives. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the storage device (1) can be operated in an unloading operating mode (EM) in which the second conveyor device (2b) drives the goods to be transported to a second end of the second conveyor device (2b) at which the goods to be transported can be dispensed from the storage device (1). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
a sensor device (7) for detecting transported goods and a control device which is set up to control the motor arrangement on the basis of the detection of transported goods. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
a control device which is set up to record information provided from outside the storage device (1) relating to incoming transport goods and to control the motor arrangement on the basis of the recorded information. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the first conveyor (2a) comprises at least one conveyor (6a). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the second conveying device (2b) comprises at least two conveying means (6c, 6d) which can be driven independently of one another with the aid of the motor arrangement. Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
a further deflecting device (3b) for deflecting goods to be transported which are conveyed by the second conveying device (2b). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
an output device (4) which is set up for outputting transport goods transported by the first and second conveyor device (2a, 2b) from the storage device (1). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
two side walls (8a, 8b) on opposite sides Long sides of the first conveyor device (2a) are arranged, wherein one of the two side walls (8b) ends at a predetermined distance from the deflection device (3a). Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
at least one further conveying device (2c) which can be driven with the aid of the motor arrangement and a further deflecting device (3b) for deflecting transport goods conveyed by the second conveying device (2b) onto the at least one further conveying device (2c). Method (V) for storing goods to be transported, in particular packages, comprising the following steps: - Motorized driving (S1, S3) of a first conveyor device (2a) and a second conveyor device (2b) with the aid of a motor arrangement; - Deflection (S2) of transported goods conveyed by the first conveyor (2a) are deflected onto the second conveyor (2b) with the aid of a deflection device (3a); and - Conveying (S2) the goods to be transported over a shoulder (5a, 5b, 5c) for vertical compression.

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